Our Staff
Executive Leadership
Lisa Heaton
Executive Director
A graduate of Southern Utah University and the University of Utah, Lisa is a licensed therapist with 20 years of experience at House of Hope. Previously she worked in children’s mental health for ten years and specialized in working with children and families, especially in reunification, before becoming the Executive Director of House of Hope. “I believe in being strengths-based treatment and giving people chances.”
Favorite vacation spot: Oregon coast. Favorite Hobby: Reading. Strength: Determination. Weakness I’m Working On: Mt. Dew addiction.
Lori Weaver
Director of Operations
A graduate of University of Phoenix in Criminal Justice, Lori is a licensed advanced substance use disorder counselor with over 15 years of experience at House of Hope. Lori also has over 25 years of experience working in the social work and criminal justice field and has specialized worked with women in several treatment centers as a case manager, treatment coordinator, and director before becoming Director of Operations at House of Hope. “I truly believe that change is possible and have had the privilege to see it happen daily. House of Hope is a tough program but we believe in compassion, accountability, and empowering our women to see their true potential as productive citizens in our communities. I also believe that myself and our employees should be part of a team that is accountable, strength-based, solution-focused and open to feedback. Change is possible and we must represent what a healthy human can look like as we support our families through challenging times. Recovery is possible for the entire family.”
About Lori: Love the ocean so any vacation by water is plus for me. I love to spend time with my family and friends and especially my amazing daughter, and of course, my super cute little dogs DJ and Maggie. I am a strong, assertive woman who also needs to continually work on being healthy on the inside and out.
Bio coming soon!
Admissions
Julie Jackman
Admissions Director
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Biography coming; please check back soon.
Erica Vasgar
Assessment Therapist
Erica graduated from California State University East Bay with a Bachelor’s in Health Science and a minor in Sociology. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she went on to get her Master’s in Social Work. After graduating, Erica held a case management position at the Regional Center in California, working with the disabled population throughout the state. Erica gained case management skills in this position and learned how to help advocate for people’s needs.
Erica has always had a passion for helping people, specifically women. Erica mentored high school girls for over 12 years and was able to meet with them and help guide them in their lives. In 2012, Erica started a girls’ conference that went on to be continued over the next 5 years, before she moved here to Utah. That girls conference helped middle school and high school girls learn more about themselves and how to love themselves and be confident in who they are. In 2016, Erica moved to Utah where she started working as a case manager at House of Hope. In 2017, she got her CSW and began working as a therapist in the residential portion of our program. After a few months in that position, she transitioned over to being an Outpatient therapist. Erica is now the Director of Outpatient and has gained more trainings in M.I. (motivational interviewing) therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma-based therapy.
Erica loves movies and spending time getting to know people. Through her job, she seeks to understand the root cause of something and work from there. Erica desires to understand her clients and help advocate for them. She is grateful for her time here and her time getting to help impact women’s lives.
Hello, my name is Kierstyn! I graduated from Utah Valley University with my Bachelor’s in Psychology earlier this year and I am excited to work in a place that utilizes my education. I’ve worked a corporate job in customer service for the last 4 years so I am excited to get experience in a new field.
In my free time, I am an avid reader. I also just started playing video games so that’s been a fun new hobby. I also really enjoy folklore and learning about different cultures.
Client Outreach & Housing
“Hi, my name is Heidi! I worked at DCFS as a Family Support Specialist for 4 years and as the Director of Lifestart Village for 4 years.
House of Hope has always held a special place in my heart. It helped create the person I am today! I graduated the program twice. When getting sober, I had a goal to work at every place that helped me in my journey.
In my spare time, I enjoy yard work, reading, and watching sports.”
Children's Services
My name is DeLayna Wilhelmsen and I am thrilled to be the Hope Center Supervisor. While my Bachelor’s degree is in Economics from Utah State University (Proud Aggie!), I have gravitated towards non-profit organization work, being employed at my first non-profit at 16 years old. I genuinely enjoy people, and my experience working with low-income families and Title I schools as a Community School Director for a non-profit then elementary school teacher in a Title I school has prepared me for this role. In fact, when I learned of House of Hope, the mission, and this position, I felt a spark of true alignment with my dreams, goals, and passions.
I look forward to embarking on this adventure with House of Hope and getting to know all of the wonderful people.
Hello, my name is Gerri Ewing, I am excited to work with House of Hope’s women and children. I have worked as a behavioral health aid in an elementary school for several years and I’m currently studying Marriage and Family Studies at BYU-Idaho. I have three kids ages 32, 30, and 13, and a sweet-yet-feisty 7-year-old granddaughter; I currently live with my 13-year-old and my 89-year-old mother. I love to travel, especially if it’s a good road trip, and I have been to all 50 states (and most of our national parks). My bucket list is always changing because I am always checking things off, but it currently heavily involves making sure my mom gets to cross things off her bucket list. I love to see new things, try new foods, and explore things. I am very excited to be part of the House of Hope team because I love working with people, especially those fighting (sometimes) unseen battles. I like working in supportive environments and in places where I feel I can help make a difference. In closing, here is a quote that really means a lot to me by an unknown author, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”
I graduated from Utah State University with a major in Sociology and a minor in Social Work. For the past 2 years, I have worked as a paraprofessional at Spectrum Academy. I wanted to work at House of Hope because I love helping others and making a positive impact in people’s lives!
In my spare time, I love reading, hanging out with friends, playing badminton, and yoga!”
Client Services
Hey y’all, I’m Tori! I am thrilled to join the House of Hope family! I have worked in the social work field for five years now holding many different positions and titles. It’s an honor to be a part of a team dedicated to providing support, understanding, and pathways to healing for these resilient individuals. I am eager to contribute my passion, skills, and dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve. Being entrusted with a vital position fills me with anticipation and gratitude. I look forward to fostering a nurturing environment not only for the people we serve, but for my colleagues as well.
Hannah Belcher
Food Services Program Specialist
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Kelly Howard
Client Services Specialist
Kelly believes House of Hope is an amazing program and provides support for women in our community while providing a better understanding of basic life skills and living with sobriety. Kelly worked for a large healthcare organization for 27 years and made the decision to leave just prior to full retirement and give back. Personally, Kelly has been surrounded by addiction and knows that the effects are far reaching. Losing her son at age 26 in 2014 and his father in 2004, both to an overdose, changed her life forever. Kelly’s daughter has 15 years of sobriety and continues to attend meetings, sponsor peers and has obtained her Master’s Degree. She has family members still in active addiction and many in recovery. Kelly believes addiction is a family disease and believes this program is not easy. She knows the women work hard through a structured program with rules and expectations and that to many of our women this is new. She feels her role at House of Hope has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding of her life. She sees everyone here at House of Hope put their heart and soul into what they do every day. She has learned and continue to learn and is grateful to be here. Something that gives Kelly hope, one day at a time, is the Serenity Prayer – God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Bio coming soon!
Hi, I am Camrie! I have many years of experience doing admin work and helping people in person and over the phone. I have also done lots of data entry. I love meeting new people and helping others. The previous jobs I have held I made friends at every workplace and still keep in touch with them. I am looking forward to a fun and positive work environment.
Development
Margaret Yeates
Director of Development
Margaret graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications – Public Relations, minor in English. Since 1998, she has worked in the non-profit sector for wonderful organizations along the Wasatch Front. She started working for House of Hope in 2011. She loves the opportunity to support amazing causes through her writing. Her experience in project management, grant writing, grant management especially government grants, fundraising, public relations, marketing and outreach has spanned over two decades. She has raised millions in funding to support local causes in our community and loves for her focus to be on mental health and substance use disorder treatment for now. She has enjoyed serving for grant review boards, being a member of the fundraising community and empowering women and children in need so far throughout her career. She is a member of Zonta International and currently serves on the Board for the Salt Lake Area.
She has a passion for bringing the topic of mental health respectfully to the table and eradicate the stigma that unpleasantly accompanies it. She is inspired and motivated by the courage and determination displayed on the daily at House of Hope and is honored to have the opportunity to do a small part of bigger change for the greater good. “I come to work each day excited to move the mission of House of Hope forward. Addiction does not discriminate, and treatment should not either”.
Lover of animals, nature – especially trees, hiking, cooking/baking, gardening, reading and most importantly family and friends. She is a published writer and currently working on her next writing project. She is constantly striving for harmony in all things and always excited for an adventure – especially with her husband. Margaret is a certified Reiki Master and Intuitive Coach. She loves to laugh and to have the blessing of laughter everyday thanks to her comedians that we call children. “I value compassion. Compassion for everything outside of myself and compassion for everything that makes me…. well, ME”.
“Hi, my name is Abi. I recently graduated from Utah State University with my Master’s in Communication Studies. Over the years, I have worked in numerous non-profit organizations and love the atmosphere of non-profits. House of Hope’s work with women & children is something that drew me to this position. I was born and raised in Utah and love all the seasons and outdoor activities it has to offer. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, traveling, and hiking.”
“Hi, my name is Lucy. I recently graduated from Westminster University with a degree in Sociology. I previously worked with Odyssey House, which inspired my interest in vulnerable populations.
I am a storyteller by heart, my favorite thing is to hear communities’ stories and share them. I hope to do justice to the diverse experiences here at House of Hope.
In my free time, I love to paint and do creative writing. If I’m not painting, I’m snuggling my sweet kitten Pojo or hiking Little Cottonwood.”
Finance and Reception
Marian Egbert
Accounting Coordinator
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Heather Burke
Accounting Specialist
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Rackel Montano
Receptionist & Billing Assistant
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Hello, my name is Hillarie! I graduated from the University of Utah last December. I studied psychology and sociology. I also participated in the applied positive psychology program. I have experience in residential treatment as well as multiple years of supervisory experience at Whole Foods. I am excited for this new opportunity to learn and grow in another area in my field of study.
In my spare time, I enjoy arts & crafts, hiking, doing nails, and home projects. I also love movies, music, and Halloween/Fall.
Human Resources
McKay previously worked at Scalar, a valuation firm located in Draper, where he was a People Operations Associate. McKay attended the University of Utah, where he received a Bachelor of Psychology before attending New York University to receive his Master of Human Resource Management with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior and Effectiveness
In his free time, McKay enjoys cooking, watching movies, and writing/editing as a theatre critic for Front Row Reviewers.
Outpatient Services
I have a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in English from Westminster College and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix.
I have a 15-year history at House of Hope in many capacities. I am blessed and grateful to be returning to a place where I fit and belong and where I am valued.
McKell Schreiner
Aftercare Coordinator
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Hey, my name is Josh Chandler. I have two baby boys and a wonderful wife that takes care of them. We recently moved here after I had dropped out of medical school to instead pursue a Masters degree at the University of Utah. Originally, I was preparing to become a psychiatrist, but I have learned that I would like my career to be a little different. Although, I am planning to stay in the mental health field because that is what I have always been passionate about. I’m excited to be somewhere where I can continue to do what I love.
In my spare time, I love to entertain my boys by being outside. I can’t wait until they are older so that we can spend time fishing or hammocking. After my boys go to bed, my wife and I love to relax and watch a show together.
Residential Services
Rourk Baird
Clinical Director
Rourk received his Masters of Mental Health Counseling in 2007 and has been with the House of Hope for over 12 years. Prior to coming on board at the House of Hope, Rourk worked for 2 ½ years as an RA and therapist at New Life Center, an eating disorder clinic. At House of Hope he has been a case manager and therapist and working in both positions helped increase his ability to be a clinical director. “I am amazed at the courage our women have to analyze their lives and make changes that for some would be impossible. House of Hope offers those that want to change the chance to find that courage, change their lives and in turn show others that change is possible. Many of our women will help change entire generations because of the work they do at the House of Hope. I am proud to be a part of the miracles that happen here.”
About Rourk: “Family is everything!” I love spending time with my children and grandchildren and find great joy in watching them grow and develop. I am an advocate for healthy living and enjoy being outdoors hiking and camping and engaging in activities that promote physical health. I believe that in order to live a balanced life you need to pay daily attention to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Peter Beckman
Residential Therapist
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Ashlie Hess
Residential Therapist
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Hi, my name is Madi. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Economics from Brigham Young University. Although my field of study is very different from what you would expect, I am excited to start this position and look forward to being able to see people improve their lives.
Hi, my name is Courtney. I graduated from Arizona State University with a Master’s in Communication. I also attended Weber State for my undergraduate in Communication and Family Studies.
I became orphaned when I was a toddler and it is my greatest passion to share my story to inspire others.
One of my goals is to connect with people on a deep level as a Residential Case Manager at House of Hope. I have a background working with at-risk youth at Salt Lake Valley Youth Center, and serving tables at a Japanese restaurant. I understand rewriting your own story when it seems impossible to see positivity, and would like to bring that to House of Hope.
Bio coming soon!
I attended the University of Utah and studied Psychology and Family & Consumer Science. I have volunteered at different nonprofits including the VA Hospital. I am most excited to work in a collaborative environment as a group specialist. I am also excited to be working with women and hope to learn more about recovery!
In my free time, I love spending time with animals and kids! I spend a lot of time watching my little niece and going to the park. I love doing yoga and skiing as well.
Hi, my name is DeAnn Knighton! I completed a Gender Studies degree at the University of Utah about 20 years ago. I am back in school now at the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School working my way to becoming a licensed CMHC in the State of Utah.
Being at House of Hope feels like the perfect combination of my passion and interest to work with women in a non-profit setting as I start this second career path in my life.
Hi, my name is Savannah! I just graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Utah Valley University. I’m excited to get hands-on experience working with women in a group dynamic! I hope to make lasting connections while learning a lot.
Recovery Support Services
Alia Richards
Assistant Recovery Support Supervisor
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Justine North
House Manager
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Shadell Wright
House Manager
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Biography coming; please check back soon.
Lydia McGee-Rodriguez
Recovery Assistant
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Benta Opiyo
Recovery Assistant
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Juliana Padilla
Recovery Assistant
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Martha Quintero
Recovery Assistant
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Pamela Rasmussen
Recovery Assistant
Biography coming soon; please check back.
House of Hope Provo
Biography coming; please check back soon.
Eden Garcia
Residential Case Manager
Biography coming soon; please check back.
Bio coming soon!
Biography coming; please check back soon.
Biography coming; please check back soon.